Speed Hockey's floor

**CoachChrisG** · 06-13-2003, 05:12 AM

I was just on the Speed Hockey website and I took a look at the floor they have developed for this thing. It looks interesting but I have some thoughts.

I think you are going to see a box lacrosse style game that is very defensive but high scoring due to how short the rink is end to end. Due to the lack of neutral zone or even any space for a neutral area I think you will see a lot of zone defence.

Having said that I love the wide floor idea. There stands to be a lot of great skating and I expect that the players who will be playing in this league will be pretty short and be required to be great stickhandlers. You will certainly see a very different hockey then we are used on ice or on floor.

The goaltenders will have to adjust to the lack of space behind the net but I think they will have an advantage with no cycling being possible. No wraparound goals and the goaltender will have a much better rapport with the posts and will be able to cut off the angles much much better then they used to. However, there will still be a lot of goals because the shot volume will be in the 60-80 range.

C.C.

**RichardGraham** · 06-13-2003, 12:19 PM

Hi Chris,

I agree with everything you just wrote.

Did I just say that? [img]/wtimages/icons/shocked.gif[/img] [img]/wtimages/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

**-venom-** · 06-13-2003, 12:59 PM

I'm thinking 20+ goals a game....

**missionhockey21** · 06-13-2003, 01:35 PM

Rich thats a first that I know of. :P

**Superstar9** · 06-13-2003, 04:53 PM

I truely hope the league turns out to be a lot of zone D// I hate playing man defense, Im just concerned w/ the short floor taking away the element of speed.. that concerns a player like me. But then again, w/ no checking, I thing a player like me can thrive in this game

**RichardGraham** · 06-13-2003, 04:55 PM

Hi Superstar,

Who said there was no checking? Just checking. [img]/wtimages/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

**lguardbl** · 06-13-2003, 07:29 PM

the goalie will also have to contend with funny rebounds off the wall.Bank shots and passes will take on a whole new dimension...

**CoachChrisG** · 06-13-2003, 11:34 PM

It will be a full contact league according to the website. However, with 3 on 3 and no cycling minimising dump and chase and the need to go in the corners hitting probably won't be a huge factor anyway. It will be more of a stickhandling game then a speed game though.

C.C.

**CoachChrisG** · 06-13-2003, 11:39 PM

Zone defence is probably the only way you can play in an atmosphere like this. You can't trap because there aren't enough players on the floor and no neutral zone to set a trap. You can play man to man but on this floor you will see a lot more need for deking and it is easier to get burned in man to man. You would have to set your zone between the 2 point line and the crease because you need to respect the 2 point shot threat. With posessions instead of a faceoff after a goal expect lots of Lacrosse and basketball style defensive systems in this league. Not nescesarilly a bad thing but it will look a lot different from anything we have seen in hockey before.

C.C.

**MDE3** · 06-14-2003, 02:56 AM

reminds me of full size "Bubble Dome" hockey

**yokes** · 06-14-2003, 06:46 PM

I think contact will play a big factor just because of the size of the rink. You wont ever really be far from your opponent on the rink making it easier for catching someone with their head down or looking the wrong way.

Its just not fun unless you stand in front of it!